Specialty5 min read

Urology

Detail level

A urologist cares for diseases of the male and female urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra) and of the male reproductive organs, with both medical and surgical treatment.

According to AMA FREIDA: the urologist focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders of the urinary system in males and females and the male reproductive system, and manages non-surgical problems such as urinary tract infection and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and surgical ones such as cancer management, congenital malformations and stress urinary incontinence. MedlinePlus describes them as concerned with disorders of the male reproductive system, urinary tract and female urology.

FREIDA states that urological diseases affect all ages and that the specialty requires knowledge of internal medicine, paediatrics and gynaecology, and that certification requires a surgical residency in urology of at least 5 years after graduation, and includes subspecialties: andrology, endourology, female pelvic surgery, oncology, paediatric urology, kidney transplantation, and reconstruction after trauma. The Urology Care Foundation lists seven subspecialties: paediatrics, oncology, kidney transplantation, male infertility, stones, female urology, and neurourology. The professional references (Grade 4) are descriptive and do not set treatment protocols.

In one minute¹²³

What is it?: The specialty of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract in both sexes and the male reproductive system.
Who is usually affected?: Men, women and children with urinary problems or male reproductive problems.
Acute or chronic?: Assessment, then drug or surgical treatment depending on the condition.
Main symptoms: Urinary infection, stone pain, difficulty urinating, urinary incontinence (depending on the condition).
Red flags?: Yes: complete inability to urinate, or severe flank pain with fever, or blood in the urine calls for prompt assessment.
Preventable?: Depends on the condition.

What is it?

According to AMA FREIDA: the urology specialist (the "genitourinary surgeon") focuses on "diagnosing and treating disorders of the urinary system in males and females and the male reproductive system". According to the AUA: surgery concerned with diseases of the urinary tract in both sexes and the male reproductive organs. The Urology Care Foundation defines it as concerned with the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, and with the male organs, testicles, scrotum and prostate.

Conditions it covers

According to FREIDA: they deal with non-surgical problems such as urinary tract infection and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and with surgical conditions such as cancer management, congenital malformations and stress urinary incontinence. The AUA mentions urinary tract stones, tumours of the urinary tract, kidney transplantation and male infertility, and the Urology Care Foundation mentions bladder cancer, prostate cancer, kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder.

Related pages on this site: benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infection, kidney stones and the urinary system, and kidney diseases is connected to them in terms of kidney transplantation (a subspecialty in urology according to the Urology Care Foundation). The sources of this page do not cover the relationship of urology to chronic kidney disease.

Common tests and procedures

Interventions range, according to FREIDA, "from simple procedures such as vasectomy to the most complex such as cystectomy", and include reconstructive surgery after trauma, insertion of the artificial sphincter, and penile implants. This page does not cover lists of tests or particular diagnostic procedures.

When to see one

Referral to the specialist is usually decided by the primary care provider according to the condition (MedlinePlus). The Urology Care Foundation states that those referred to the specialist include, for example, someone with cystitis, urinary incontinence, kidney stones, an injury to the urinary tract or a male infertility problem. This page does not cover detailed referral criteria.

When do you need urgent help?

Get urgent care today

Complete inability to urinate, or severe flank pain with fever or chills, or obvious blood in the urine: seek urgent medical assessment. (A conservative general warning that was not quoted verbatim from the sources of this page and is no substitute for assessment.)¹

Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.

Common questions

What is the difference between a urologist and a nephrologist?

According to the sources of this page: urology is concerned with the urinary system and the male reproductive system including surgery, and this page does not cover a direct comparison with medical kidney disease; ask your doctor which service suits your condition.¹³

Is urology surgery only?

No; FREIDA states that they treat non-surgical conditions such as urinary tract infection and benign prostatic hyperplasia.¹

Questions for your doctor

Does my condition need drug treatment, or a procedure or surgery?
What tests are needed to determine the cause of my urinary symptoms?
What are the non-surgical alternatives?
Do I need follow-up with a nephrologist?

References

1
AMA FREIDA. Urology — specialty description. freida.ama-assn.org/specialty/urology
Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
2
AUA (American Urological Association). About the AUA. www.auanet.org/about-us/about-the-aua
Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
3
Urology Care Foundation (AUA). What is Urology?. www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/what-is-urology
Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
4
MedlinePlus. Types of health care providers. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htm
Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
5
Urology Care Foundation (AUA). Urology 101: an introduction to urology. www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/care-blog/2020/urology-101-an-introduction-to-urology
Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06

Review status: Edited content · Last updated: 2026-10-06

Change log

2026-10-06 — Page created.